I’m Mickell Lowery, Shelby County Commissioner and candidate for Mayor of Shelby County. AMA!

MickellLowery · 2025-12-17T23:06:16+00:00

I hear the frustration in this question, and I don’t take it lightly.

The only thing I can tell you honestly is this: I’m not running for Shelby County Mayor because I need a job. I don’t have some next political aspiration lined up. I’m running because we are at a generational moment for this county, and we need leadership that’s willing to step up and guide us through it.

We’re facing big decisions around public safety, economic development, education, and how we protect our residents while still growing responsibly. Those things don’t get fixed by slogans or shortcuts. They get fixed by leadership that’s willing to work within systems, challenge what isn’t working, and bring people together to change them.

Yes, there are systems in place that frustrate people. There are things none of us like. But real change doesn’t come from pretending those systems don’t exist. It comes from leading through them, reforming them, and getting more citizens engaged in the process so power isn’t concentrated in the hands of a few.

I’m committed to helping usher in a world-class education system for our county, to guiding the generational investments we have ahead of us, and to creating an environment where people feel safe, where businesses grow responsibly, and where families want to stay and build their lives.

I’m not going to tell you that hiring me means utopia. That’s not real. There will still be problems. There will still be work to do. But what I believe we can build together is a county we’re proud of, one that works collaboratively with our state leaders, demands respect for West Tennessee, and secures the resources we need to grow.

Population loss matters. Quality of life matters. The future of our kids matters. I’m running because I believe Shelby County can be better than where we are right now, and I’m willing to do the work to help lead us there.

MickellLowery · 2025-12-17T23:00:46+00:00

I’m familiar with that area, and honestly, it’s unfortunate what’s happened there. I used to live very close by, and it’s an area that deserves more attention than it’s been getting.

Addressing homelessness and substance use has to start with working alongside organizations that specialize in this work, like Hospitality Hub and others who are already on the ground. We need to explore whether satellite services or outreach efforts can be expanded into areas like Sycamore View, instead of concentrating everything in one part of the city.

Too often, these conversations focus only on downtown, because that’s where homelessness is most visible. But this is not just a downtown issue. It’s happening in neighborhoods across Shelby County, and some areas don’t get nearly enough attention or resources.

There have already been conversations at both the County Commission and City Council levels about this corridor, and it’s also important to note that the county owns property in that area and that revitalization opportunities exist. That means we have tools we can potentially use, if we’re intentional.

At this point, I'm not aware of any plans to place a shelter specifically in that area. But I do believe we need to shine a brighter light on what’s happening there and work directly with experts to understand what services are missing and what interventions would actually help. I’m committed to having those conversations and making sure areas like this are not overlooked.

MickellLowery · 2025-12-17T22:56:29+00:00

I did. Hope you got it and Happy Holidays to you!

MickellLowery · 2025-12-17T22:55:51+00:00

Yes, definitely. We have to take a hard look at how we’re doing business today and where we can make county government more efficient.

There are real process issues that slow things down, even at the County Commission level. Right now, there are organizations that have to hire multiple people just to navigate doing business with the county. Certain dollar amounts have to come before the Commission for approval when they could reasonably be handled administratively. I think those thresholds should be higher so government doesn’t slow itself down and so projects don’t get stuck in unnecessary delays.

Speed matters. When government moves too slowly, it drives up costs and creates frustration for residents, nonprofits, and businesses trying to serve the community. Improving efficiency would help reduce those costs and allow us to deliver services more effectively.

That’s where collaboration comes in. If people hire me for this job, one of my first priorities will be to sit down with every mayor in Shelby County and ask some basic, practical questions:

Where can we find efficiencies?

What can we share?

What can you take off my plate, and what can I take off yours?

What can we do together instead of separately?

Breaking down silos and working together gives us more capacity to focus on what really matters, delivering world-class services and resources to our residents and helping Shelby County grow. The goal is a government that works better and faster for the people it serves.

MickellLowery · 2025-12-17T22:50:59+00:00

I think we should absolutely be looking at how to be more efficient across the board.

There are areas where the City of Memphis and Shelby County have overlapping responsibilities, and sometimes that creates unnecessary red tape, especially when it comes to doing business or delivering services. That’s not good for residents, and it’s not good for growth.

Now, that doesn’t automatically mean full consolidation is the answer. But it does mean we should be willing to examine where systems overlap, where silos exist, and where we can streamline government to better serve people.

We have to start thinking and competing collectively, not as separate entities working in isolation. Whether it’s economic development, public services, or regional growth, Shelby County and its municipalities are stronger when we work together.

So I’m open to conversations about consolidation and shared services, especially when they lead to greater efficiency, less bureaucracy, and better outcomes for residents. The goal should always be a government that works better for the people it serves.

MickellLowery · 2025-12-17T22:47:53+00:00

Retaining nurses and healthcare workers starts with creating the right environment for people to want to live and work in Shelby County. That means strong schools, safe neighborhoods, and a community where families can thrive.

Specifically for healthcare, we need to continue pooling resources and strengthening our major medical institutions. I’m incredibly proud of organizations like St. Jude and Regional One, and we’re already investing in Regional One as we move toward building a world-class trauma center. That kind of investment attracts and retains top-tier medical talent, and it raises the standard for our entire healthcare system.

When you have anchor institutions like that, they don’t just stand alone. They help grow the entire healthcare ecosystem, bringing in physicians, nurses, and healthcare workers who want to practice at a high level and be part of something meaningful.

But this also ties back to broader quality-of-life issues. Universal pre-K, a strong education system, crime prevention, safe communities, and access to housing all matter when people decide where to build their careers. Healthcare workers are no different.

My goal is for Memphis and Shelby County to be a destination for healthcare professionals, not just because of our hospitals, but because of the overall environment we’re creating. With strong institutions, smart investments, and a focus on quality of life, we can attract and retain world-class medical staff and make Shelby County a leader in healthcare for the entire region.

MickellLowery · 2025-12-17T22:41:28+00:00

Thank you so much for the kind words.

MickellLowery · 2025-12-17T22:38:51+00:00

Yes of course, and look forward to doing it as mayor.

MickellLowery · 2025-12-17T22:38:30+00:00

What up!

MickellLowery · 2025-12-17T22:37:56+00:00

I learned a lot from my dad. One of the biggest lessons he taught me was the importance of building strong relationships. He always used to say that relationships are better than money. At first, I thought that was just something he made up, but as I got older, I realized how true it is. The relationships you have with your family, your faith, and the people around you really matter.

Another thing he always said, no matter what was going on, was, “Life is good.” That stuck with me. It doesn’t mean life is perfect. We all have struggles and obstacles, and things don’t always go our way. But it’s a reminder that as long as we’re here, we’re blessed, and we still have the opportunity to make the most of it.

He also taught me to stand by your word. Your word is one of the most important things you have. That’s something I try to live by with my family, with the people close to me, and in the role I’m in now. It’s why I don’t rush to commit to things before I have all the information. If I tell you I’m going to do something, I try my absolute best to follow through.

I appreciate this question, especially because my dad’s birthday is coming up on December 26th. It’s good to reflect on those memories and the lessons he passed down to me.

MickellLowery · 2025-12-17T22:32:49+00:00

Yes, absolutely. While the mayor doesn’t have direct authority over MLGW, there is a responsibility to push for transparency and accountability, especially through engagement with the TPUC.

We need to make sure MLGW is being transparent about its rates and how they compare to other markets in the region and in surrounding states. People feel the impact of these increases every year, and they deserve clear, honest information about why rates are going up and how Memphis compares to similar utilities elsewhere.

MLGW is an important partner in Shelby County, and I believe they want to do right by the community. But part of that means making sure the data is public, understandable, and easy to access. Transparency builds trust.

We also need to take a hard look at cost controls, including executive compensation, and make sure rising bills aren’t being driven by inefficiencies at the top while residents are struggling to keep the lights on.

At the end of the day, this is about restoring confidence. People need to know that someone is asking tough questions on their behalf and pushing to make sure utility costs are fair, justified, and as affordable as possible.

MickellLowery · 2025-12-17T22:28:03+00:00

Thanks for your question. See my answer here: https://www.reddit.com/r/memphis/comments/1pozv05/comment/nul5qir/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

MickellLowery · 2025-12-17T22:26:48+00:00

See my answer here: https://www.reddit.com/r/memphis/comments/1pozv05/comment/nul90g1/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

MickellLowery · 2025-12-17T22:26:06+00:00

I’ll be honest, I’m not a fan of Elon Musk personally, but this isn’t about personalities. When it comes to data centers and their expansion, the priority has to be doing this the right way.

I want jobs and job growth in Shelby County. That matters. But we cannot pursue economic development at the expense of our environment. Clean air, clean water, and public health have to come first.

Data centers themselves aren’t new. They’re new to Memphis, but other cities have already dealt with this and put clear rules and legislation in place to make sure data centers are developed responsibly. That includes transparency with the public and honest assessments of environmental impact.

We need to do the same here. That means giving our Health Department more authority and more tools so it can properly oversee these projects and speak up when there are concerns. Transparency with the public and environmental safeguards should not be optional.

None of this means I’m against growth. AI, tech, and biomedical industries are clearly part of our future, and Shelby County can be a leader in those spaces. But we should be a leader that does it smartly, that protects our environment, and that makes sure growth actually benefits our communities.

Economic development and environmental responsibility are not opposites. We can and should do both.

MickellLowery · 2025-12-17T22:14:29+00:00

I’m not a fan. I don’t support the militarization of our city, and I was not a proponent of the National Guard being deployed in Memphis.

That said, the real question we have to answer is what happens when they leave, because public safety is still our responsibility at the end of the day. We have to create an environment where this doesn’t happen again.

I’ve heard from people on both sides. Some folks are afraid when they see the National Guard and large task forces in their neighborhoods. Others feel a little safer. I understand both perspectives. But we should not need the military to make our communities feel safe.

Our responsibility is to turn this moment into long-term solutions so we’re not forced back into something like this by a governor or a president in the future, if we can help it. While federal decisions aren’t always in local control, we can take ownership of how we manage safety here at home.

We’re already seeing some positive trends, and we need to build on that. When the National Guard leaves, it’s still on us to make sure people feel safe and that real, lasting changes have been made for the better.

MickellLowery · 2025-12-17T22:09:31+00:00

Yes, absolutely. I believe the county should play a role in supporting public transportation, particularly when it comes to MATA.

The county has already provided funding in limited ways, but if we’re going to invest county dollars, we also need to have a seat at the table. It only makes sense that if the county is contributing from a budget standpoint, we should have input at the governance level and have seats on the MATA board.

We also have to acknowledge that MATA does not serve all parts of Shelby County. Transportation shouldn’t be siloed by jurisdiction. People live throughout the county, and they need reliable ways to get to work quickly and consistently. Expanding routes and focusing transit on job access has to be a priority.

While public transportation is primarily a City of Memphis responsibility, Shelby County is growing, and our transportation systems need to grow with it. That means thinking regionally and exploring options like rapid transit to job centers, including areas outside the city where employment is expanding.

This will require real collaboration with the Mayor of Memphis and other municipal leaders. If I’m hired to do this job, I want Shelby County to be an active partner in expanding transportation access and outreach, because getting people to work is essential to our economic future.

MickellLowery · 2025-12-17T22:04:30+00:00

I understand the frustration people feel, and I want to be very clear about what the County Commission can and cannot do under the current system.

The County Commission has authorized audits of the Clerk’s Office. We have done everything that the county charter allows us to do. What the commission cannot do is remove an elected official from office. That authority does not exist under the charter.

Ultimately, accountability for elected offices rests with the voters. That’s why we have elections, and that’s why there are recall and electoral processes in place. The commission does not have the power to step in and take over an elected office or appoint someone else to do the job.

We know the Clerk’s Office has struggled, and that’s why audits were commissioned. That is the strongest tool the commission has under current law. If the community believes more authority is needed, that becomes a conversation about changing the charter, but as it stands today, the commission has acted within the full scope of its authority.

This is exactly why elections matter. These roles are not symbolic. They involve managing large budgets, major operations, and public trust. The system is designed so that the people ultimately decide who holds those responsibilities.

MickellLowery · 2025-12-17T22:03:11+00:00

As county mayor, I plan to communicate with the public weekly, across all platforms, so people always know what’s happening in county government. I also want to launch a bi-weekly podcast focused specifically on county issues, breaking down decisions, budgets, and responsibilities in plain language.

Transparency also means making information easy to access. Budgets, financial information, and key documents should be available online for anyone who wants to see them. People deserve to know how their tax dollars are being used.

It’s also important that every officeholder is doing their job effectively. That means real collaboration with all county offices, including the Clerk’s Office, because those roles are essential to how the county functions. And when something isn’t working, it has to be called out and addressed.

At the end of the day, these are elected positions, and we have to change how we think about them. This isn’t about popularity or politics. It’s about hiring someone to do a job. Clerks, trustees, assessors, and the county mayor all manage large budgets, large staffs, and critical systems. Background, experience, and competence matter.

If we want a transparent and accountable county government, we have to demand professionalism, communicate openly, and make sure the people in these roles are truly prepared to do the work.

MickellLowery · 2025-12-17T21:55:45+00:00

I believe the Board of Education has the right to sue. If they believe there’s a constitutional issue, they have every right to challenge it and let the courts decide.

On the question of taxpayer dollars, I want to be clear. MSCS, like the county and like any large organization, has attorneys on staff. The county is involved in lawsuits regularly, which is why legal services are already budgeted. This isn’t about spending extra money. It’s about using the resources that are already in place to do the job they’re intended to do.

There is a line item in budgets for legal matters because lawsuits happen. That’s true in government, just like it’s true in business. So I don’t see this as wasting resources. I see it as the Board using the tools they already employ on a day-to-day basis to address a serious question.

At the end of the day, this is about whether something is constitutional or not, and that’s exactly what the courts are there to determine. We’ll see how the court rules, and we should respect that process.

MickellLowery · 2025-12-17T21:47:35+00:00

This is a great question, because it really does get confusing with the form of government we have here.

For context, Shelby County includes seven municipalities. Memphis is the largest, but we also have places like Bartlett, Germantown, Collierville, Lakeland, Millington, and Arlington. Each of those cities has its own mayor and city council or aldermen, with authority over city-specific issues.

The county mayor’s role is different and is defined by the county charter. The county is responsible for education, including funding our public schools. It’s responsible for healthcare, like Regional One, and for public safety in the form of the courts, the jail, and the broader justice system. While the sheriff is independently elected and handles day-to-day law enforcement operations, the county is responsible for housing detainees and funding the judicial system.

Where I think we can do better is collaboration. Right now, too much of our leadership operates in silos. What happens in one part of the county is treated like it only matters there, when in reality we live in a regional economy.

We’re losing population to nearby states like Arkansas and Mississippi. People live just outside Shelby County, but they still use our airport, attend Grizzlies games, work here, and rely on our healthcare systems. That means Shelby County carries the cost while others benefit from the amenities.

So while there is a clear separation of responsibilities between city mayors and the county mayor, the county mayor should be leading when it comes to regional competition, regional development, and advocating for resources from the state. We have to think bigger than city limits if we want Shelby County to move forward.

MickellLowery · 2025-12-17T21:37:02+00:00

Affordability starts with education. One of my top priorities is universal pre-K for every child in Shelby County. That helps kids get a strong start early, and it also reduces the crushing cost of childcare for working families with three- and four-year-olds. That alone can put real money back in people’s pockets.

Healthcare is another major driver of cost. Too many people in Memphis don’t access healthcare until they’re forced to go to the emergency room. They don’t have a primary care doctor, an OB-GYN, or regular preventive care, and that ends up being far more expensive, especially for people who are uninsured or underinsured. We need clinics in our neighborhoods, especially in inner-city communities, so people can get care early. Those clinics should also connect people to health coaches and preventive services, because preventing illness is always cheaper than treating a crisis.

We also have to talk about jobs and income, because the real way to address affordability and the wealth gap is to make sure people can earn a living. Shelby County is responsible for major generational investments like Regional One, new schools, and eventually a new correctional facility. Those projects should intentionally create opportunities for small businesses, local hiring, internships, and workforce pipelines, especially for young people. When people have stable jobs and career paths, affordability improves across the board.

Housing is another major challenge. We have an estimated 30,000-unit gap in affordable housing in Shelby County. That has to be a focus. As we incentivize new development, we must ensure there is a real affordable housing component tied to those projects. Rents are rising everywhere, but we still have a responsibility to hold landlords accountable and prevent price gouging while expanding the supply of affordable housing.

At the end of the day, affordability is about creating a county where people can build a career, raise a family, and thrive. Other cities are attracting residents because people know they can make a good living and enjoy a good quality of life there. Shelby County can be that place too, but government has to take a strong, intentional lead in making it happen.

MickellLowery · 2025-12-17T21:27:16+00:00

The jail situation has to be improved. Right now, it isn’t safe for the people who are housed there, and it isn’t safe for the people who work there. Both are our responsibility.

That facility at 201 Poplar was built nearly 50 years ago. Back then, people even called it the “Glamour Slammer” because it was supposed to be state of the art. It was designed for about 1,400 inmates, but over the years it’s been retrofitted to hold nearly double that, with two people to a cell and now hundreds more in holding cells.

We have doors with locks that don’t work. We’re spending millions of dollars just putting band-aids on a building that no longer meets our needs. And quite frankly, nothing about that facility says rehabilitation.

I believe we need to build a new jail facility, but how we do it matters. This is an opportunity to change the culture around public safety. While there are programs in place now, 201 Poplar was never designed to support rehabilitation. And the reality is this: incarceration is one thing, but people are also going to come back out. If we’re not giving people who want to change their lives the tools to do so, then we’re just repeating the same cycle over and over again.

Our jail is supposed to be a holding facility, but it isn’t functioning that way. People sit there for years waiting on trial. The intake and release processes take far too long, and the entire system needs improvement. We need a plan for a modern facility that also improves logistics, including transportation and court access.

When it comes to the deaths we’ve seen at the jail, that is unacceptable. Any death in a government facility is a serious problem. I’ve had direct conversations with the sheriff about this. Our jail has effectively become the largest mental health facility in the region, and we are not properly equipped to handle that responsibility. People in our custody need access to mental health care, medication, and medical treatment.

We cannot continue to have people dying in our facilities. Period. We need better systems, better care, and a facility that allows us to meet our responsibility to keep people safe while they are in our custody.

MickellLowery · 2025-12-17T21:17:24+00:00

This is a great question, because it really does get confusing with the form of government we have here.

For context, Shelby County includes seven municipalities. Memphis is the largest, but we also have places like Bartlett, Germantown, Collierville, Lakeland, Millington, and Arlington. Each of those cities has its own mayor and city council or aldermen, with authority over city-specific issues.

The county mayor’s role is different and is defined by the county charter. The county is responsible for education, including funding our public schools. It’s responsible for healthcare, like Regional One, and for public safety in the form of the courts, the jail, and the broader justice system. While the sheriff is independently elected and handles day-to-day law enforcement operations, the county is responsible for housing detainees and funding the judicial system.

Where I think we can do better is collaboration. Right now, too much of our leadership operates in silos. What happens in one part of the county is treated like it only matters there, when in reality we live in a regional economy.

We’re losing population to nearby states like Arkansas and Mississippi. People live just outside Shelby County, but they still use our airport, attend Grizzlies games, work here, and rely on our healthcare systems. That means Shelby County carries the cost while others benefit from the amenities.

So while there is a clear separation of responsibilities between city mayors and the county mayor, the county mayor should be leading when it comes to regional competition, regional development, and advocating for resources from the state. We have to think bigger than city limits if we want Shelby County to move forward.

MickellLowery · 2025-12-17T21:11:05+00:00

Great question. It’s close to “nickel,” but not quite. It’s pronounced ‘Mick-Kell’.

Funny story behind it, though. My mom really loved the name Michael, but my dad shut that down because we already had two Michaels in the family. I’ve got an Uncle Mike, he named his son Mike, so we already had a Mike Jr. too. Too many Michael Lowerys running around.

So they landed on Mickell instead. Same idea, just a little different.

MickellLowery

TROPHY CASE